秦辟邪玉跪人紋橢圓座陽刻篆文皇后之印The First Seal of Empress in the Chinese History

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秦辟邪玉跪人紋橢圓座陽刻篆文皇后之印, 高.5cm, 長6cm, 寬2cm,165g。本器青白玉雕琢, 印鈕為辟邪獸, 體形雄偉, 象徵皇帝至尊, 背上跪伏者嬌小象徵皇后之玉女, 楚楚憐人。印座呈橢圓形, 印文為陽刻秦代小篆皇后之印。古玉之跡像如石灰沁, 冰裂紋,擴散暈沁色一一具備。刀工細膩工整, 線條流暢, 此皇后之印是已知中國歷史上第一個皇后之印, 堪稱國寶中的國寶。

Seal of Empress of the Chin Dynasty (B.C.221-B.C.206), Measurement: H.7.5cms, W.6cms.Depth 3.2cm, 165grams

The seal is composed of three parts: The imposing pixie symbolizing the emperor, the lady kneeling on the back of the pixie, symbolizing the empress, and the oval stand for the scripts of the seal. The style of the scripts on this seal conforms to those of the Chin dynasty. Bronze seals ( around 2.2cm x 2.2cm) from the Palace Museum of Beijing‘s collection. Especially the last stroke of the seal character of this seal confirms the typical lining of aaaaathe Chin calligraphy( petite sigillaire 小篆 ) style, in particular, the character of 皇, conforms to those found unearthed artifacts. The artifact consists of aging elements such as diffusive markingsdeteriorate markingscleaving veins, and differential weathering to prove its antiquity. Based on the carving and character styles of the jade seal and its antiquity of evidence, this jade seal is authenticated as a genuine Seal of the Express from the Chin Dynasty.

The title of Emperor and  Empress were first appearing in the Chin Webp.net-gifmaker (88)Dynasty. This is the first  Seal of the Empress in Chinese history which makes this seal an important artifact and its value is beyond description. According to History of the Former Han Dynasty(漢書), composed by Ban Gu(班固),  First volume, List of High Ranking Officials of Royal Court(百官公卿表上): Zhan Shi詹事, Public official in the Chin Dynasty, Zhan Shi is responsible for the affairs of the empress and princes’ families. Beginning Learning Record《初學記, compiled by Xu Jian(徐堅) in the Tang Dynasty, Volume 1 Inner Court Section (中宮部) Empress First (皇后第一) mentioned Chin had the title of Emperor, the first wife is called Empress. The Han Dynasty followed this system. This is the historical record to prove that the Empress title first appeared in the Chin Dynasty and the present Seal of the Empress is the physical evidence of this historical record.

The medium has been tested with GIA Duplex II Refractometer, and the refractive index is 1.61 spot reading. It is made of natural nephrite. The carving style of the mouth of the mythical animal is similar to that of the one of the Chin Dynasty. The low relief carving without openwork is unique and is different from the other periods(such as Shang and Han). In addition to the scientific evidence of antiquity, one-third of the object is fully calcified to form evidence that seasoned collectors should recognize its genuineness at a first glance( the one-eye item in the Chinese context).    In terms of historical significance and rareness, the appraisal by taking the market approach,   the Seal of Empress of the Chin Dynasty should be extremely valuable.

Appraisal Indexes:
1. quality of jade: 10
2. rareness: 10
3. historical and cultural significance: 10
4. workmanship: 10
5. size:9
6. condition: 10

 

 

Provenance: The Palaceantique collection, USA

 

Shang Dynasty Jade Seal Fang State( -2) 商代方國玉印

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商代方國玉印(2),14.5cm x 4,H。 14cm,本器玉座白玉雕琢,呈梯形,印鈕為青銅辟邪,印支為鏤空結構,四面為青銅龍鳳紋淺浮雕,印座上呈呈斜坡形,飾魚紋浮浮雕,底座底面分三部分, 中央飾神靈紋淺浮雕,造型優美具神秘感。表示豐衣足食,表示子孫繁延不絕。全器古玉跡像明顯,有差異風化,曝露晶面及擴散暈沁色。Webp.net-gifmaker (74)Shang Dynasty Jade Seal Fang State( -2),14.5cm x 4, H. 14cm

With a bronze pixie as the handle, the base of the seal has the shape of a combination of trapezoid solid and square frame structure made of white jade. The four walls of the trapezoid white jade are carved with low relief fishbone. The four sides of the square solid shape are bronze low relief carving of dragon and phoenix. The bottom of the base has three sets of low relief motifs. In the middle is a certain kind of abstract form object symbolizing deity, The upper part of both sides are animals, clothes, and tools symbolizing prosperous living. The lower part is the Shang Dynasty oracle character of a woman symbolizing abundant offspring.IMG-3399

Appraisal Indexes:

  1. quality of jade: 8
  2. rareness: 9
  3. historical and cultural significance: 9
  4. workmanship: 9
  5. size:10
  6. condition: 10

 

 

 

商代方國玉印, Shang Dyasty Fang State(-1)Jade Seal,14.5cm x 4,H. 14cm

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商代方國玉印(1), 14.5cm x 4,H. 14cm, 本器玉座白玉雕琢, 呈梯形, 印钮为青铜辟邪, 印座为镂空结构, 四面为青铜神面镂雕, 印座上方呈斜坡形, 饰龙纹浮浮雕, 底座底面饰双凤纹浅浮雕, 造型优美具神秘感.全器古玉迹象明显, 有差异风化, 曝露晶面及扩散晕沁色.

 

Shang Dyasty  Fang State(-1)Jade Seal商代方國玉印,14.5cm x 4,H. 14cm.

images (7)Webp.net-gifmaker (77)With bronze pixie as the handle, the base of the seal has the shape of a combination of trapezoid solid and square frame structure made of white jade. The four walls of the trapezoid white jade are carved with low relief dragon. The four sides of the square solid shape are bronze openwork carving of deity. The bottom of the base has two low relief motifs of phoenix.

Appraisal Indexes:

  1. quality of jade: 8
  2. rareness: 9
  3. historical and cultural significance: 9
  4. workmanship: 9
  5. size:10
  6. condition: 10

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